Social Studies Courses

The disciplined study of history and geography is vital and essential for citizens in a democratic society such as the United States. History and geography help us understand the origins, development, growth and challenges of our institutions and our culture. These disciplines help to locate ourselves in both time and space; thus helping us think about who we are and about our possible futures. The study of history and geography of the U.S. prepares us to take up the challenges of life in contemporary society.

Students will study geography as an integrative and disciplined study that brings together the physical and human dimensions of the world. The purpose for studying geography is to foster the development of citizens who will actively seek and systematically use a spatial perspective in viewing the world.

Students will evaluate and analyze the economic, social, military, and political events of our nation's past in terms of their present day significance. Analogies between current issues and history will provide a greater understanding and perspective for interpreting contemporary issues. Skills in political analysis and social self identity, as well as awareness of our traditions and American institutions, are emphasized and developed.

The course covers the events in the U.S. from the end of Reconstruction in 1877 to the present. Some of the major topics included are the frontier, developments in transportation and communication, the rise of industry, political reform, expansion in foreign affairs, world wars, the 1920's, the depression and the New Deal. Also included are the post World War II years including the Korean conflict, Vietnam, the 1960s with its counter culture, the rise of the Republicans in the 1980s, the events of the 1990s to the present.

World History & Geography (1 credit) Required 10This course provides a study of the world beyond the foundations established in our United States History and Geography course at the ninth grade level. The lessons begin in 300 C.E./A.D. and continue to include contemporary dilemmas and issues. [Eras 4-8]

Era 4—Expanding and Intensified Hemispheric Interactions, 300 to 1500

Era 5—The Emergence of the First Global Age, 15th to 18th Centuries

Era 6—An Age of Global Revolutions, 18th Century to 1914

Era 7—Global Crisis and Achievement, 1900-1945

Era 8—The Cold War and its Aftermath: The 20th Century Since 1945

Contemporary Global Issues

World History and Geography takes a global and comparative approach to studying the world and its past to develop greater understanding of world wide events, processes and interactions among the world’s people, cultures, societies, and environment.The expectations are organized using both time and space to engage students in cross-temporal and cross-regional studies. Integrating geography and history, the content expectations are organized within historical eras and different geographic scales. Within each era, students work at three interconnected spatial scales: the global, interregional and regional.Students will focus on five large historical and geographic patterns:

The causes, consequences, and patterns of changes in human governance systems and changes over time.

The causes, consequences, and patterns of interactions among societies and regions, including trade, war, diplomacy and international institutions.

The impact of demographic, technological, environmental, and economic changes on people, their culture, and their environment.

Causes, consequences and patterns of cultural, intellectual, religious, and social changes across the world and among and within societies.

The relationship between the environment and global and regional developments in population, settlement, economy and politics.

Economics(.5 credit) Required 11

In Economics students will describe and demonstrate how the economic forces of scarcity and choice impact the management of personal financial resources, shape consumer decisions and impact the economic well being of individuals and society. They will further explain and demonstrate how businesses confront scarcity and choice when organizing, producing, and using resources, and when supplying the marketplace. The role of government will be a major part of the study of economics as well as a study of various economic systems world wide.

Civics(.5 credit) Required 11

In Civics, foundations of U.S. political history will be discussed. The development of the two-party system and a vocabulary of political terms will be included. Constitutional history and interpretation will be emphasized. The three branches of government and the levels of government are studied in depth. Current political issues are an important consideration.

Social & Political Issues (1 cr) Elective 9-12

Social and Political Issues will examine and evaluate current dilemmas and newsworthy topics by drawing from a variety of media sources. Students will research and debate current events in an attempt to better understand the complexity of today's society. Students will become active participants through discussions, group work, oral presentations, and written reports. This course changes daily to reflect the issues facing our nation and our world.

Military History (.5 cr./.5 cr) Elective 10-12

Military History A: Ancient Warfare to NapoleonOne of the cornerstones of World History is the way in which humans conduct conflicts against one another. This course will examine the evolution and impact of armed conflict from the ancient’s times to Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Students will research and analyze the causes of war, military theorists of the era, the social and cultural foundations of conflict, and the impact and evolution of leadership, technological evolution, tactics, and strategy.

Military History B: Napoleon to AfghanistanOne of the cornerstones of World History is the way in which humans conduct conflicts against one another. This course will examine the evolution and impact of armed conflict from the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte to the present. Students will research and analyze the causes of war, military theorists of the era, the social and cultural foundations of conflict, and the impact and evolution of leadership, technology, tactics, and strategy. This course is independent of Military History A and it is therefore not required but is recommended.